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Officers to vaccinate these inmates at their homes as early
as possible.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
THOMAS TAYLOR,
Medical Officer of Health.
The fact that the epidemic made its appearance at this
period of the year was most unusual, as November is the month
when we may reasonably expect a recrudescence of this disease,
and this circumstance called forth the appended letter from the
Local Government Board.
Local Government Board,
Whitehall, S.W.
Sir, 2nd August, 1895
I am directed by the Local Government Board to bring under
the attention of the Vestries and District Boards in the Metropolis, the
fact that Small pox has recently undergone considerable increase in
London, and thai, its extension tends to involve a number of Metropolitan
sanitary districts.
The circumstance is more noteworthy, since at this season of the
year Small-pox in London is, as a rule, at its lowest ebb.
The Board attach very great importance to the most energetic
measures being taken in connexion with the cases which are occurring,
with the view of preventing the spread of infection, and they will be
obliged to the Authority it they will specially instruct their Medical
Officer of Health in every case which may be notified to him or which
may come to his knowledge, immediately to visit the house where the
disease has broken out, and at the earliest possible moment to take such
measures as may be necessary to secure as far as practicable the isolation
of the patient, the vaccination of any persons who may have been exposed
to infection, and the disinfection of the premises, and any further action
which the circumstances will admit of, for the purpose of checking the
extension of the disease.
The Board deem it desirable that the Authority should as regards
each case be informed precisely of the measures which have been taken by
the Medical Officer of Health, and they will be glad to be furnished with
copies of the reports which are made by him on the subject.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
HUGH OWEN,
Secretary.
As soon as the epidemic had subsided I made another
special report to the Vestry (a copy of which was also sent to
the Local Government Board) stating the means that had
been adopted to prevent a spread of the disease, and enclosing
a copy of the tabulated statement showing the information
that was obtained relative to each case.